Nectarine tree named ‘NSRED15268’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree denominated ‘NSRED15268’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NSRED15268’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2017/3057 filed on Nov. 23, 2017 (11/23/17) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of blood nectarine tree, also named red colored flesh nectarine, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NSRED15268’. This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi clingstone dark red or blood red flesh fruits for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357) for reliable description. ‘NSRED15268’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NSRED15268’ red nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 700 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NSRED15268’ variety resulted from an open pollination of the ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), which was used as the seed parent. Then, the pollen parent of the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ remains unknown.

The ‘NSRED15268’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NSRED15268’ red nectarine tree blooms during March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it usually blooms between March 5^(th) and March 14^(th). The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NSRED15268’ ripens generally during the second half of July. More particularly, it usually ripens between July 16^(th) and July 24^(th). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

-   -   FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a view of a tree of the         new variety in orchard, with branches bearing fruits.     -   FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a close view of a part         of the trunk of the new variety ‘NSRED15268’.     -   FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at         different development stages, and the reverse and side view of         the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of         the new variety.     -   FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower         sides of leaves of the variety and three typical specimens of         the fruit, one having been cut in halves with the stone being         left into one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh stone and         stone cavity of the new variety.     -   FIG. 5 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical         fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ at ripening time, one         fruit having been cut in halves, the photograph showing one of         the halves without the stone.     -   FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing a half fruit of the new         variety, the stone having been removed from its cavity.     -   FIG. 7 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical         fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ at ripening time     -   FIG. 8 is a color photograph that show different views of the         stone of the new variety.

The views of trees, trunk and flowers have been photographed in their third growing season (second year of production). The views of fruits, leaves and stones have been photographed in their second growing season (first year of production). Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NSRED15268’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; the flowering usually begins early in March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are colored in pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is dark red, also named blood red. The fruit skin is medium thick, with a homogenous and dark purple red color on a red background. The stone is semi clingstone and its size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), which is the seed parent of ‘NSRED15268’, the new variety shows a surprising blood dark red flesh color whereas the fruits of ‘NECTARPERF’ present a white colored flesh.

The ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ is considered medium, namely during the second half of July, whereas the fruits of the variety ‘NECTARPERF’ ripen late during the season, namely at the end of August or early in September depending on the years.

Compared to ‘NSRED15270’ blood nectarine tree (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,466), the fruits of the variety named ‘NSRED15268’ usually ripen at least 5 to 10 days earlier. Thus, the variety ‘NSRED15268’ has an earlier time of fruit maturity, in comparison with the similar variety named ‘NSRED15270’.

The fruits of the ‘NSRED15268’ variety are considered rounder than those of the ‘NSRED15270’ variety, which are considered round to slightly triangular in shape.

The flowers of the ‘NSRED15268’ variety are medium to large in size, whereas the flower size of the ‘NSRED15270’ variety is considered medium. Thus, the flowers of ‘NSRED15268’ are larger than the flowers of the similar variety ‘NSRED15270’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of red nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their second growing season (first year of production) for fruits, leaves and stones and on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) for the trees, flowers and trunk, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. (Royal Horticultural Society) Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including             current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently             reduced to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered medium to strong vigorous.         -   Productivity.—The productivity is considered good and             regular, every year. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to             develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized             fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the             prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices             employed during the bloom period and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the             tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during             the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘NSRED15268’ variety has naturally a semi-flared             shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,             Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter chilling             requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and             1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,             namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893             hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016, 825 hours in             2016-2017 and 1017 hours in 2017-2018 showed a good             behaviour of the trees in all cases. No damages were caused             by ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius in             winter. The tree was also very resistant to frosty             springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 67.0 to 78.0 millimeters in diameter             when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0             centimeters above the soil level on their third growing             season.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of             lenticels reaches 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range             in size approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height and             from approximately 4.0 to 7.0 millimeters in width.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a light orange color (RHS             Greyed Orange 165 B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a brown (RHS Brown 200 C)             color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter of approximately             4.0 to 6.0 millimeters, and branches in their second growing             season have a diameter from 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally of 45 degrees for the             current season shoots and 45 degrees for the mature branches             from the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is             not considered distinctive of the variety, however.         -   Internode length.—Generally between 22.0 and 26.0             millimeters for the current season shoots and between 30.0             and 35.0 millimeters for the mature branches.         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part             of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and             colored in purple-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 176 A). Surface             texture. — Smooth, without lenticel.         -   Mature branches.—Color of mature branches: Brown (RHS Grey             Brown 199 A or RHS Grey Brown N199 A). Surface texture. —             The surface texture of mature branches is rough, with small             lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—The number of lenticels on mature branches             reaches 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size             from approximately 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter in height and from             approximately 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters in width. The lenticel             are stretched round in shape.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a             beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 C to RHS Greyed Orange             164 D). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 190.5 millimeters with leaf             petiole.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 51.75 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acute.         -   Leaf base form.—Acute.         -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Green (RHS Yellow Green             147 A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green             146 A) than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous on both surfaces.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — The mid-vein or midrib is light green             (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). The color may evolve with             maturity. Thickness. — Approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Lateral veins.—Color. — The lateral veins are considered a             light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) similar to the midrib             color.         -   Leaf margins.—Crenate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium to long. Shape. —             Ribbed. Length. — About 12.0 to about 13.0 millimeters.             Diameter. — About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Petiole color.—Upper petiole surface. — Green (RHS Yellow             Green 144 A). Lower surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green             145 B).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium. Their length is             about 1.0 millimeter and their width is about 1.0             millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands per leaf. Type. —             Round. Color. — On older leaves, leaf glands color is             considered a brown color (RHS Brown 200 A). Margins. —             Smooth and regular.         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are round in form with a round             tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 9.0 to 11.0 millimeters wide and approximately             18.0 to 20.0 millimeters long. The distribution of the             flower buds is considered homogenous on the trees. Color. —             This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity to             bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the             bottom of the flowers buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle,             formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown color at the outer             surface of the calyx (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed             Purple 187 B). The inner surface of the calyx is considered             orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 22 A) The corolla, formed             by the petals, is generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 65             B). Petal and sepal color shows an evolution until the end             of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins early in             March. The first bloom was observed on Mar. 7, 2016.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of             full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period.             The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions             and cultural practices. Thus, the first full bloom was             observed from March 7^(th) until Mar. 14, 2016, then from             March 5^(th) until Mar. 12, 2017.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 days. This characteristic             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower (rosette type).         -   Flower size.—Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at             full bloom is approximately 36.0 to 39.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between             35 and 40 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a             high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium.         -   Length.—Generally between 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth.         -   Arrangements of petals.—Overlapping.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored in pink             (RHS Red Purple 65 A to RHS Red Purple 65 B) when young,             becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.         -   Fragrance.—Moderate.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a             triangular form, narrower at the base. Length. —             Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately             1.5 millimeters at the base. Color. — A darker pink (RHS Red             Purple 58 A) than the petal color.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally             wide-dome shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium and having an             average length of approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.             Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0             millimeters. Color. — Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth. Color. — At the             stage F of blooming, when the flower is open, the inner             surface of the calyx, or flower receptacle, is matt and             considered yellow orange (RHS Yellow Orange 21 B). The outer             surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown color             (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).         -   Sepals.—Number. — Generally five sepals. Shape. — Conic with             a round tip. Surface texture. — The outer surface has a             short, fine pubescent texture. Margins. — Smooth. Size. —             Medium. Length. — Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.             Width. — Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Color. — At             the stage F of blooming, the lower surface of the sepals is             greenish (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to RHS Yellow Green 146 B).             The upper surface of sepals is colored with a purple-brown             (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 26 to 31             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Medium in length, with a cordate             shape. Color. — Red color (RHS Red 46 A) to yellow color             (RHS Yellow 8 A) depending on the maturity stage.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen production is considered important             and the pollen shows a yellow color (RHS Yellow 11 A to RHS             Yellow 11 B) which may evolve with maturity. The present             variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 16.0 and 19.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally smaller             than the pistil's length or equal to the pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White N155 D) to pink (RHS Red             Purple 63 C) depending on the maturity stage. The color             evolves and becomes darker during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.             Length. — Approximately 21.0 to 23.0 millimeters including             the ovary. Generally higher than stamen length. Color. —             Considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B) to yellow (RHS             Yellow Green 151 B to RHS Yellow Green 151 C) depending on             the maturity stage. Stigma. — Approximately 1.0 millimeter             in diameter, with a yellowish color (RHS Yellow Green 151             A). Ovary. — Approximately 1.5 to 2.25 millimeters in             height. The diameter of the ovary is about 1.0 to 1.5             millimeters. The color is considered green (RHS Yellow Green             145 A). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions             (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 16, 2015.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NSRED15268’             variety has a medium date of picking, and a grouped             maturity. The maturity is grouped within 6 to 8 days and the             harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known             picking times carry on from July 16^(th) to Jul. 23, 2015,             then from July 16th to Jul. 23, 2016, then from July 19^(th)             to Jul. 24, 2017 and then from July 16^(th) to Jul. 22,             2018.         -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Generally size 2A.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to 71.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 64.0 to 68.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 170.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round and regular. The fruit is             generally slightly asymmetric, viewed from the suture's             plane.         -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending             from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or             stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed. Mucron.             — Absent.         -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a similar red             color to the whole fruit color (RHS Greyed Purple N 186 A to             RHS Greyed Purple N 186 B).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Flared. The depth of the stem cavity is             considered medium, between 13.0 and 16.0 millimeters.             Average width is about 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered medium thick and strong,             and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,             depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Smooth and             glabrous, without any pubescence, and with few bumps. Taste.             — Semi-sweet. Tendency to crack. — None observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is dark purple red             (RHS Greyed Purple N186 A to RHS Greyed Purple N186 B). The             red blush covers almost 100% of the fruit skin surface on a             red (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A) background. The percentage of             the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary and is             generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under             which the fruit was grown. Ground color. — The ground color             covers at the most 5% of the fruit skin surface, and is             considered red (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A). Lenticels. — No             lenticel is present on the skin surface.         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 8.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a             long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,             melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not             fibrous. Aroma.— Pronounced. Eating quality.— Considered             very good and aromatic. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet,             sugary and very aromatic. The Brix is generally superior to             12 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice.             — Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally 15.8             degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the number             of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the             surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — The flesh of             the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ is colored in a dark red (RHS             Red 46 A), also named blood red color. Usually, the color is             identical, i.e. dark red, around the stone cavity (no white             circle is observed around the cavity). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi clingstone, more or less adherent depending on             the fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 26.0 to 27.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 21.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 16.0 to 17.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Obovate.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short, pointed.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with a form and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced             toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief             is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The             surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent             ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small, and having a             dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered light brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to RHS             Greyed Orange 164 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent, depending on             climatic conditions between blooming period and stone             hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered medium. Length. —             Approximately 8.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 5.0             millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately 4.0 millimeters.             Form. — Obovate. Pellicle. — The pellicle of the kernel has             a short pubescence. Color. — The kernel skin is a light             brown color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A). The almond, which is             the seed of the kernel, is white (RHS White 155 D) and has a             bitter tasting. The kernel and its embryo are mature at the             time of fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NSRED15268’ is considered to be a             nectarine tree having a medium season of fruit maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively             colored with a very dark purple red. The high content of             antioxidant in the red flesh convert fruits in a very             healthy product. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are             excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when             at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities.             Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can             also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit             or fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long-distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.             After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks             at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             red blood nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and             decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface. 